Air Hares is now available on Nintendo Switch, bringing its colourful Saturday morning cartoon aesthetic and unusual blend of bullet hell shooting and carrot farming to Nintendo’s hybrid console. Developed by husband-and-wife team Wondoro and published by indie.io, the game launches for $4.99 USD with the Hare Force Edition update and a roster of five playable pilots designed to make cooperative play a family affair.
Rather than simply blasting through waves of enemies, players must also help restore the farmland of Winrose, with Captain Rabbo Sunskipper and her fellow pilots taking to the skies against the villainous Gale Gang. The game’s missions combine aerial combat with planting and watering carrot patches, giving players another objective to manage while dodging attacks from the falcons threatening the region.
Wondoro’s influences are firmly rooted in classic Saturday morning cartoons, with a cast of animal heroes and villains that could have stepped out of an animated adventure. Rabbo is joined by Dirk Doggo, a stubborn but soft-hearted canine pilot inspired by the developers’ rescue dog, Arthur. The characters originated in episodic scripts written by Tim Bungeroth before expanding into a digital comic series, giving the game an established world to draw from.
Co-op is a major part of the experience, with five pilots offering different abilities to help players work together. Dirk Doggo can draw nearby birds toward himself, giving teammates more room to concentrate on other tasks, while Linnie Lightfoote, Betty Bunting, and Candie Clayton bring their own advantages to the skies. These include improved barrel rolls, more reliable handling in crosswinds, and a triple parry shot.
The emphasis on teamwork also extends to the game’s farming mechanics. Players can divide their attention between protecting the fields and keeping the crops watered, allowing younger players and more experienced partners to contribute in different ways. High scoreboards and Carrot Achievements provide additional incentives for anyone looking to improve their performance and complete each level to the fullest.
Air Hares is available now on Nintendo Switch for $4.99 USD. The game is also available on Steam, where players can access the Hare Force Edition update, with additional information available through the indie.io storefront.